Ode to the Cranberry: Healthy and Healing

Here’s a sure conversation starter when you find yourself seated next to that cousin-in-law whose name you can never remember, at Thanksgiving dinner this year: “Did you know that cranberries contain a pigment precursor that helps prevent urinary tract infections?”

While that particular cousin might decide they’d rather sit somewhere else next Thanksgiving, more and more evidence seems to pinpoint the tart, astringent cranberry as a tiny, nutrition powerhouse. Besides their ability to keep the pipes running clearly, they’re great sources of Vitamin C. And that pigment precursor thing? According to Harold McGee, who knows everything and is the author of the book On Food and Cooking, that pigment – called anthocyanin – “prevents bacteria form adhering to various tissues in the human body” and, happily, helps prevent those urinary tract infections. But, as pointed out in a story on NPR earlier this week, while it’s good at preventing UTIs, it doesn’t help at all in treating them.

"In 1998, researchers from Rutgers University identified the specific components in cranberries that function as previously suggested," according to the web site for the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers' Association."These condensed tannins or proanthocyanidins from the cranberry fruit prevent Escherichia coli (E.coli), the primary bacteria responsible for UTIs, from attaching to cells in the urinary tract. Thus, the bacteria are flushed from the tract rather than being allowed to adhere, grow and lead to infection."

That doesn't mean that cranberries aren't healing. Native Americans mushed them up, according to NPR, and applied them as a poultice to wounds, not realizing of course it was the berry’s distinctive red pigment that helped prevent infections.

It doesn’t end there. Cranberries are a great source of antioxidants, as are many other berries. What’s the big deal with antioxidants? “Cranberries and other berries are loaded with polyphenols, which are known to have an antioxidant effect,” reports NPR’s Allison Aubrey.”While oxygen is the stuff of life, it can also naturally break down living tissues, i.e. aging. Antioxidants are compounds that prevent or slow oxidation in the body — that's why you sometimes hear antioxidants called ‘anti-aging’ compounds.”

Ah, but there’s a catch.

“Scientists have proven the polyphenols in berries do have an antioxidant effect — but only in the test tube,” Aubrey continues.”They haven't yet been able to determine how much these antioxidants work in the body.”

Darn. Well, at least cranberries have that whole taste thing going for them. Now, if they could only help you remember your cousin’s name.

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